Chapter – 1

Structural Change

In this post we have given the detailed notes of class 12 Sociology Chapter 1 (Structural Change) in English. These notes are useful for the students who are going to appear in class 12 board exams.

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Structural changes

• The change in the institutions,  rules and functions of the society is called structural change. 
• From ancient times to the present time, the structure of Indian society has changed on a large scale.
• The structural change in India came about due to colonialism.
• In this lesson, we will mainly try to understand our past and see how our present changed because of our past.

Colonial rule

• The use of the resources of that country by establishing rule by one country over another country is called colonial rule.
• The British rule in India was one such colonial period.
• The British  ruled India for almost 200 years and exploited India’s resources during this period. But at the same time, during his rule, many changes also took place in Indian society. 

The main objectives of colonial rule

• The main objective of the colonial rule established in India was to exploit Indian resources.
• During the Industrial Revolution in Britain, Britain needed raw materials and markets, to fulfill both these requirements, the British rule resorted to India. 
• Indian farmers were forced to produce raw materials for British industries and Indian industries were exploited by imposing many restrictions on Indian industries.
• This was done so that raw materials could be supplied for the industries developing in Britain and a market could be made available for the sale of goods.
• Only its own interests were served in India by the British rule.

Nature of colonial rule

• The British established a monopoly on Indian land and thus Indian resources were exploited on a large scale.
• Many such new laws were made by the British government so that their interests could be fulfilled.
• The British system was based on capitalism, due to which their main objective was to earn profit and during this period the development of Indian society was almost non-existent.

Indian Economy and Colonial Rule

Agriculture Sector

• Zamindari system was introduced in India by the colonial rule. In this practice, the landlords used to collect taxes from the farmers at their own will, which led to the destruction of the agricultural sector. 
• Farmers were encouraged to grow crops that could meet the needs of British industries. Attention was not paid to the development of Indian agriculture, due to which the farmers were exploited and the condition of Indian agriculture deteriorated. 

industrial area

• The crafts industry of India was one of the oldest industries in India, but due to the  differentiating tax policy of the British rule, the handicraft industry gradually declined. 
• At the same time, the handicraft industry suffered due to competition from goods made in Britain.

International Trade

• During the British rule, India was mainly used as a raw material production sector and a big market. Because of which only raw materials were exported from India and goods produced from Britain were imported to sell in the Indian market.
• Due to which the structure of India’s international trade changed.

Impact of colonial rule on Indian society

• Colonial rule left its impact in almost every region of India.
• Whether it is the economic sector, the political sector or the social sector.
• The impact of all these changes can still be seen today.

Major changes during British rule

• The British rule was based on the capitalist system, due to which the system of production and distribution of goods in India changed. 
• In many areas, tea cultivation was started by cutting forests.
• The movement of people in the country is high.
• Indian labourers and service personnel were sent to other countries to work through ships.
• Western education was promoted,  so that how  could the class emerge in Indian society that would contribute to the development of colonial rule?
• The influence of English language increased in India.
• After independence, the parliamentary system was established in India, which was based on the system of Britain. 
• The imprint of colonial rule can also be seen on a large scale in Indian law and culture.

Colonial rule and structural change

• Two major structural changes took place in India during the colonial rule which are as follows:
  • Industrialization
  • urbanisation

Industrialization

• The beginning of the process of large-scale production in factories is called industrialization.
• Under this process, production mainly develops from domestic industries to large factories and production is done on a large scale in these factories.

Characteristics of Industrialization

• Production on a large scale is called industrialization.
• In the process of industrialization, production is mainly done by machines.
• The use of labor decreases in the process of production.
• The pace of development of the country increases.
• New economic classes emerge in the society.

Social Impact of Industrialization

• Destruction of cottage industries
• End of joint families
• Increase in urbanization
• economic crisi
• unemployment
• The growing influence of capitalism
• Division of Labour
• Reduction in the impact of caste system
• Development of means of transport
• Rise of new classes in society

Industrialization in Independent India

• After independence, special attention was paid to industrial development in India.
• Heavy machinery industries were developed so that the pace of development could be accelerated and unemployment was reduced.
• Small industries were developed in the private sector and large industries were developed in the government sector.
• Due to large-scale industrialization, the economic condition of the country was better than before.

urbanisation

• Urbanization is the process under which rural areas develop and gradually adopt urban systems and facilities.

India and Urbanization

• The process of urbanization started with the development of the industrial sector in India.
• Industrial development led to the development of some of the earliest cities in India.

For example

• Mumbai, Kolkata, Madras etc. 
• Due to the high standard of facilities and better living standards in these cities, people started migrating to these cities, due to which the population of these cities increased.
• Over time, many other cities developed in India, which is a result of industrialization.

Effects of Urbanization on Indian Society

• Increase in employment opportunities
• Increasing immigration
• Population growth
• Development of Health Services
• Development of Education Services
• Technical improvements
• Economic Development

India and Modernization

• During the process of modernization, the following changes took place in the Indian society and system:-
  • Technology Development
  • Spread of education
  • Improvement in health services
  • Development of means of transport
  • Westernization
  • Industrialization
  • urbanization

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